Burbridge - William
WILLIAM BURBRIDGE
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Source: Family Histories of Montgomery County, Indiana (Paducah, Ky: Turner Publishing 1988)
William BURBRIDGE and James Stitt were commissioned by Governor Hendricks Sept 1, 1823 as the first two associate Judges in newly formed Montgomery County to sit with or in lieu of the president Judge of the First Judicial Circuit. The commissions were for 7 years. A plain farmer and a good blacksmith, also, Mr. Burbridge was "wholly without legal knowledge, except such as is usually acquired by observing persons without the aid of law books. Yet the record does not show that any ... rulings were excepted to or that a new trial was asked on account of any blunder of the court." He probably was born in Fayette Co (or Montgomery now Bath) Ky on Sept. 8, 1789-90. He was the son of Roland Burbridge (1745-1842) a veteran of the Revolution and Jane WELLS Burbridge.
Their other children and approximate birth dates were: Jesse; Robert 1779; Thomas 1783; James 1785; Benjamin 1787; Mary (Polly) Jackson 1791; Elizabeth Bety Underwood 1794; John 1796; Martha (Patsy) Mitts 1798 and Joseph Howe 1802.
In about 1786, his family moved from Greenbrier Co VA to Montgomery Co Ky. Later as a young man he removed north as did his brothers Robert and James to the new areas in Ohio. While in 1819 he explored the wilderness westward as far as the Wabash River in Indiana, by 1812 he had settled enar Chillicothe, Ohio. He was married to Margaret GRAHAM (circa 1794-Sept 2, 1832 buried Wilson Gwyn Cemetery). She was the daughter of Forgus Graham. Their children and approximate dates of birth were: Forgus Graham 1812; Eliza 1815; Morgan 1816-17; Rowland 1819; Mary Ann 1821; Margaret 1823; James 1826; William 1827 Matilda 1829-30; Nancy 1830; Ann and Jane. On Feb 15, 1836, Mr. Burbridge married Isabella Steele (1803-1847). As a volunteer in a company of Ky. mounted riflemen the young husband and father served in the War of 1812 as, reportedly, did 3 of his brothers. After some years in Ohio, he returned to Indiana bought land to farm SW of Crawfordsville on July 13, 1822 (160 acres Sec 11, South Union Twp close to William Offield, the first settler of Montgomery County) and moved his family West to Indiana. He added to his holdings over the years.
In 1827, he built the first brick house in Montgomery county, his children assisting in carrying the bricks. Ever sensitive to the peril of Indian attack along the fronter, when news of the Sauk Chief Black Hawk's rebellion reached them in 1832, the settlers of Montgomery County assembled all their militia companies to parade in Crawfordsville. From among those homespun-clad 100 infantry and 50 Cavalry volunteers were promptly provisioned and sent west to assist the Illinois troop. Judge Burbridge commanded that Calvary. For the farmer-militia, that quick, bloodless campaign was the last war-call ever sounded in the Wabash Valley.
In 1837, he was chosen as one of three Trustees of Montgomery County to select and buy land and build the first County Seminary for educating the men and women of the area. Earlier, in 1835, when the highly desirable land for the permanent location of Wabash College was purchased, the seller required personal security as well as a mortgage on the quarter section. Two men endorsed the Notes of the College for over $6000 without any security for themselves, Andrew Shanklin and William Burbridge.
When he died Jan 13, 1867 at the home of his son, The Weekly Review noted that "in every relations of life, Judge Burbridge maintained a high character for probity, honesty and goodness of heart; he possessed in an eminent degree every virtue that turns and enobles human nature." He had won the "esteem and hearty approbation" of his neighbors; while at least 3 of his brothers, in affection had named sons, "William." As a measure of the long shadow of that esteem, when his son, William Jr. died 16 years later, himself a respected Crawfordsville merchant and public servant, The Saturday Evening Journal describing him as "somewhat reserved and diffident," noted that William Jr. had inherited "many of the excellent qualities of his father," whose name is yet revered and remembered by those who knew him."
Compiled from biographies sent by Ed Barlett & Frank Brew
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Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Jan 19, 1867
As a journalist it becomes our sad duty to announce the death of Judge Burbridge. He was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, Sept 8th, 1778, and died in this city on the 13th inst. at the residence of his son, William Burbridge, Jr. At an early age he removed with his parents to Lexington, Ky which at that time was merely a stockade fort erected by the settlers as a defense against the attacks of Indians. His youth and early manhood were passed in Kentucky. In the War of 1812 he served as a volunteer in a regiment of Ky. mounted riflemen and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Shortly afterward he emigrated to Chillicothe, Ohio, whence he removed to Indiana. about the year 1819, before the organization of this county and before any settlements had been made in it, he in company with a friend, made a tour through the trackless forest as far as the Wabash River. His first encampment in this county was made near the Springs on the land now owned by the heirs of Major Whitlock. In the year 1812 (sic - 1822?) he removed to Clinton, Indiana and thence to what is now known as the Gwinn farm, which he bought of the United States Government and where for many years he lived, busily occupied in improving his farm. On the last day of September 1823 he was commissioned by Governor Hendricks as one of the first associate Judges of Montgomery County.
It is unnecessary in a brief notice like this to speak of the trials and privations endured by the settlers of the West, the resolute will and manly courage with which they met and overcame them. It is sufficient to say that Judge Burbridge endured his full share of trials with his neighbors, and in the interchange of kindly acts, in such a manner that won their esteem and hearty approbation. He lived long to see rise from the unbroken wilderness of the west a Republic greater than the mightiest Monarchies of Europe, once the haunts and homes of wild beasts and savage men. In every relation of life, Judge Burbridge maintained a high character for probity, honesty and goodness of heart; he possessed in an eminent degree every virtue that turns and enobles human nature. For more than a quarter of a century he lived a consistent chrisitan life. Full of years and full of honor he calmly and gently yielded up his spirit to his God in the full confidence of a blessed immortality.
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Source: 1830 Montgomery Co In Census
Wm. Burbridge 2 males -5; 2 males 10-15; 1 male 15-20; 1 male 40-50 1 fem. -5; 2 fem 5-10; 1 fem 10-15; 2 fem 15-20; 1 fem 30-40
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Source: Crawfordsville Evening Journal 5-19-1883
William BURBRIDGE died at his residence on East College Street last Sat afternoon a few minutes before 4 o'clock. He had been ill for some time and his death was not unexpected. He was born six miles SW of Crawfordsville on what was formerly known as the Gwynn farm - land that was originally entered by his father Judge Burbridge, one of the first settlers of Montgomery County. He was educated at Wabash College, his father carving his farm and removing to town that his children might have better educational advantages. He was married to Mary KING, a half sister of the Robinson brothers of this city, Nov 9, 1854 by whom he had 5 children, 3 of whom survive him. He was the junior member of the firm of Grimes & Burbridge who were engaged in the dry goods business for a number of years on the corner of Green & Market Streets. He afterwards went into partnership with Cpt. Hauser in the hardware business. In 1849, while the excitement over the discovery of gold was at the height, he left for the gold fields, with the first company that went from this part of the state. Mr. Burbridge was a man, somewhat reserved and diffident, inheriting many of the excellent qualities of his father, whose name is yet revered and remembered by those who knew him. The funeral which occurred at the residence with Rev JW Green officiating, was largely attended. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
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Source: WILSON (GWYN) Cemetery, Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana
BURBRIDGE, Margaret wife of Wm. 9-25-1794 9-2-1832 37Y 11M 7D
Margaret, daughter of Wm &Margaret 9-1-1832 8Y 10M 7D
Isabella wife of Wm b. Woodford Co., Ky 7- ? -1803 4-10-1847
Mary Ann daughter of Wm &Margaret 9-5-1832 11Y 6M 17D
Karen reviews, reveals a real Montgomery County tragedy
by Karen Zach
Thursday, April 9, 2020 3:53 AM
My very first paid genealogy job (he insisted but I was actually just answering a genealogical question to the library’s history department as a volunteer but he sent money specifically to me with a note, “I want to hire you” – in fact, he paid me so well, I thought that I might be able to get rich doing what I loved to do – NOT) was to find information on Montgomery County’s first judge, William Burbridge.
Governor William Hendricks had appointed William Burbridge and James Stitt, commissioned for seven years as associate judges for here. Oddly, our subject had no knowledge of the law, being a farmer and blacksmith; however, he was a good judge of his fellow man and nary a decision he made while on the bench was objected to.
Born September 8, 1778 (1789 and 1792 – various sources say) in Brier County, Virginia to Rowland Burbridge and Jane (Wells), his father being a Revolutionary War Soldier. William was the middle child having three sisters and seven brothers. Some of his early life was spent with his family in Lexington, Kentucky. As a young man, he and brothers, Robert and James settled in Chillicothe, Ohio but did some moving around.
He married about 1808 (many have their marriage in 1811 but no proof and they had children before that) to young Margaret Jane Graham (born March 9, 1791) but as the War of 1812 broke-out he joined the Kentucky Mounted Rifleman leaving his wife and at least two children home. She was the daughter of Forgis (his parents being Arthur and Mary Forgis) Graham and wife, Elizabeth Trimble and was likely born when they first moved to Bath County, Kentucky (but possibly Virginia – she didn’t hit a census so hard to say) where her father was extremely active in the Little Mountain Church, several of those people coming on to Montgomery County. Margaret was one of an even dozen children. The Burbridges also went to church there. Both families moved to Ohio (Madison and Pickaway) about the same time – 1806.
In 1819, he made an exploration of what was then the wilderness of Indiana, coming all the way to the Wabash River, settling on land he received for war service on July 13, 1822, his property close to the famed William Offield and both among the earliest to settle here.
He and Margaret brought their children, Jane, Forgis (which for he and his grandfather Graham was actually Forgison but often went by Forgis and a few notations of an even shorter version, Forg), Eliza, Morgan, Rowland, Mary Ann then in MoCo adding Margaret, James, William, Matilda, Nancy. Margaret and the children are said to have helped him build the first brick home in Montgomery County about four miles south of Crawfordsville on their property.
Margaret passed away in September 1832 leaving children from ages 23 down to a couple of years old. William Burbridge didn’t only lose his wife, but two daughters (Margaret and Mary Ann) as well. His wife was but 37 years old and although I’m not sure, I would think she died either in childbirth or some type of disease with the girls. This was just after he returned from the Black Hawk Rebellion, Judge Burbridge commanding a 50-man Calvary (there was another group of 100 foot soldiers from our area as well).
In order to be close to his family as well as more easily available for judging, he purchased into a mercantile business (and delved in other businesses) with Francis Miller and for some of the time with J.W. Powers. Do believe they advertised more than anyone in the time frame and not little one-liners either but lengthy ones stating what was available (dry goods, hardware, Queensware, cotton, yarns, iron, nails, paints, feathers, beeswax, linens and much more) – “we sell for CASH or approved country products” were their terms. They found it unnecessary to enter every article they had in stock but felt that all the customer had to do was come in and examine the wares! Must have done some good, as he was always aiding others money wise and as a widower in the 1850 census living with his son-in-law and daughter, James Erwin Dunn and Matilda, he was a gentleman with his own income, basically.
After the death of his beloved first wife, he and the older girls raised the youngsters until he married Lovina Cockerel, widow of a Dr. Cockerel whom he went to Montgomery County, Kentucky to marry in March of 1835 and she lived less than one year. About a year afterward, he married Isabella Steele the day after Valentine’s Day in 1836 here in Montgomery County. Sadly, she died a little over eleven years later. Although I’m not 100% positive, it does not look like he had children with Lavina or Isabella.
One great adventure was the cosigning of a $6,000 mortgage (with Andrew Shanklin) for the college to purchase permanent land for Wabash in 1835, then in 1837, he was appointed as one of three trustees to buy land, build and staff the first seminary to educate the young men and women of our county. With twelve children and being a judge, makes for good reason to be on top of educational progress.
At his death on Jan 13, 1867, the papers stated that in every aspect of the good judge’s life, he “maintained a high character for probity, honesty and goodness of heart.” In his honor, five grandsons and at least three nephews were donned William.
His grandchildren tallied more than 30, with several grandsons in the Civil War and at least one, Daniel McIntire losing his life. Names relating to this man were: Reeder, Crawford, Stover, Dunn, Robinson and several more. His sons and son-in-laws were in several occupations: farmers, millers, dry good merchants, teamsters, and even a judge. Several lived right here but others moved to Michigan, Iowa, upper Indiana, and to Fountain County. I know personally, each time I see the last name of Burbridge, I perk up and see if it’s any of William’s relatives because Judge William Burbridge was one of the largest influences in Montgomery County … yet … what is so sad, he has no tombstone (likely buried in Gwinn Cemetery with the two wives) – now, that to me is a Mo Co Tragedy!